LEARNING IN THE SENIOR SCHOOL

Ballarat Grammar is a community of learners who enter into positive relationships that are promoted by wellbeing in emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical domains. Learners are encouraged to explore the world and develop meaning through challenge and inquiry, promoting a passion for life-long learning.

The character of the Senior School Learner:

In the Senior School, the Ballarat Grammar learner engages in their education with a creative and open-minded approach, displaying a sense of curiosity and love of learning. Grit and academic vitality characterise our learners as they seek lifelong meaning, knowledge and accomplishment.

Key Characteristics: Key Skills:

Creativity Communication

Open-minded Critical thinking

Curiosity

Reflection

Love of learning Independence

Grit Initiative

Academic Vitality Organisation

Meaning Commitment

Knowledge

Accomplishment

In the Senior School students may choose to complete the Victorian Certificate of Education, or to take an Applied Learning pathway – or a combination of both.

At this stage of their schooling, students find that their abilities, interests and career needs take them in very different directions. Ballarat Grammar aims to provide a range of academic programs and pathways for Years 10, 11 and 12 students that suit the needs of diverse learners.

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the certificate that the majority of students in Victoria receive on satisfactory completion of their secondary education. The VCE provides diverse pathways to further study or training at university or TAFE and to employment. It requires students to complete 16 VCE units. These units are divided into four different levels, Units 1-4. Units 1-2 are usually completed at Year 11 and Units 3-4 are usually completed at Year 12.

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:

• equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and

• empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real life workplace experiences. There is more information on the VCE Vocational Major later in this handbook.

Ballarat Grammar offers a variety of options for students wishing to pursue Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses that can be taken in Year 10, Year 11 or Year 12 as part of a VCE pathway, VCE Vocational Major pathway or a School Based Apprenticeship/ Traineeship. Some VET classes are taught at the School, by authorised teachers, these are: VET Ag Studies, VET Sport & Recreation, VCE VET Music Industry (Performance) and VCE VET Music Industry (Sound Production). Other VET course options are widely available through the Highlands LLEN, in the interests of broadening the range of options available to our students.

• Courses can contribute to a VCE course or a VCE Vocational Major.

• The development of skills needed by industry and enterprise; many of these skills are generic such as OH&S skills, which enhance students' flexibility and adaptability for the future.

• VET courses are a meaningful and relevant education pathways to careers or part-time employment,

• Students are better informed when making career choices,

• Evidence suggests that students undertaking a VET subject improve their work habits and organisational skills because of their increased interest in school.

SBATs or SBAs offer students the option of combining part-time employment, school, and training. An SBAT program runs under a contract with an employer and has a training plan registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). The training should lead to a nationally recognised qualification. The vocational training components of SBATs also contribute credit towards a senior secondary certificate. Many school based apprentices and trainees move on to a full-time contract with their employer after leaving school, while others choose to continue their education and training at a registered training organisation (RTO) or university.